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You are here: Home » Foreign Language (EN) » Drugs info » Types of drugs

Types of drugs

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Legal and illegal highs

‘Legal or illegal highs’, ‘head shop or herbal highs’ are names given to psychoactive substances (drugs) that may be on sale in Ireland through shops that sell drug-related products (head shops, hemp shops) and other shops such as sex shops or tattoo parlours. They can also be bought on the internet. These drugs are sold as alternatives to drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines and heroin.

There are several hundred types of these drugs, that we know of, available. These include drugs that act as:

• sedatives (downers),

• stimulants (uppers),

• hallucinogens (trips), and

• aphrodisiacs (sexual stimulants).

Some are herbal meaning they come from a plant. Others are synthetic, meaning they are man-made from chemicals. Most are a mixture of both herbal and synthetic products.

These drugs are all psychoactive substances, that means they alter how you think, feel and behave. Their effect on physical and mental health is unpredictable and there is a risk of becoming addicted.

Not for human consumption

Many of these drugs on sale are labeled as ‘not for human consumption’, so that those selling and supplying these drugs can get around the law and avoid responsibility for any negative consequences or risks. Some drugs have legitimate uses in industry and animal care.

None of these drugs have been tested on humans for safety. We know nothing about the medium or long-term effects of using these drugs. Some or all of them could have dangerous side-effects.

• Some can make you confused – so that you will be more likely to have an accident or take dangerous risks.

• They can cause anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia or even psychotic illnesses.

• Many are stimulants (uppers) which may stop you sleeping, leaving you exhausted and depressed later on.

• These drugs can have negative effects on mental health – people often say they feel ‘head wrecked’ after taking these drugs.

• They can be toxic to humans, even ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ substances can cause damage such as kidney failure, coma and even death.

Cannabis

Slang names include Hash, Blow, Shit, Dope, Grass, Weed.

Cannabis is a natural plant and is used in three main forms. The most common type is called resin, which comes as solid dark-coloured lumps or blocks. Less common are the leaves and stalks of the plant, called grass or weed. The third kind, cannabis oil, is rarely seen in Ireland.

Cannabis is usually rolled with tobacco into a ‘joint’ or ‘spliff’ and smoked, but it can also be cooked and eaten.

Effects – Getting ‘stoned’ on cannabis makes you feel relaxed, talkative and happy. Some people feel time slows down and they also report a greater appreciation of colours, sounds and tastes. You can develop strong cravings for food, called ‘the munchies’.

Side-effects – Cannabis can affect your memory and concentration and can leave you tired and lacking motivation. If you are not used to cannabis or you use a stronger type than you are used to you can feel anxiety, panic or confusion. You may have delusions or hallucinations.

Risks – Many people consider cannabis to be a relatively safe drug. But research shows that long-term users can find it hard to control their use of the drug and may become addicted. Smoking cannabis increases your risk of heart disease and cancers such as lung cancer and may also affect your fertility. In people who have underlying mental health problems, cannabis use may trigger schizophrenia. In Ireland it is the second most common drug found in the systems of drink drivers, after alcohol.

Ecstasy

Slang names include E, Doves, Mitsubishis, Yokes, Shamrocks.

Ecstasy is usually made in back-street laboratories in some European countries. It is sold mainly as tablets which have different logos or designs on them. Sometimes ecstasy tablets can contain other drugs and substances.

Effects – Ecstasy can make you feel more alert and in tune with your surroundings. You feel happy and calm and have a warm feeling towards other people. Sounds, colours and emotions are more intense. You have more energy which allows you to dance for long periods of time.

Side-effects – Your body temperature, blood pressure and heart-rate can rise. Other physical effects include muscle pain, nausea, jaw stiffness and teeth grinding. You may experience severe sweating, shaking and palpitations. You can feel dehydrated, confused and tired.

Risks – Most legal drugs are tested on animals first, but ecstasy users are human guinea pigs. Research already shows that regular weekend users experience a mid-week ‘crash’ that can leave them feeling tired and depressed, often for days.

It could be years before we know the long-term effects but some users may be at risk of developing mental health problems later in life. Deaths from ecstasy are quite rare, but can be due to heatstroke, heart attacks or asthma attacks.

Heroin

Slang names include Gear, Smack, Junk, H.

Heroin is made from morphine, one of the drugs that comes from the opium poppy. It is used by injecting or by smoking, known as ‘chasing the dragon’.

Effects – Injecting heroin gives a quick rush of excitement followed by a peaceful, dreamlike feeling. You feel warm, relaxed and drowsy.

Pain, aggression and your sex drive are all reduced.

Side-effects – The side-effects of heroin and other opiates (such as morphine and methadone) include constipation and weaker breathing. However, most of the dangers of heroin come from overdose and from injecting the drug.

Risks – What is sold on the streets as heroin often contains other substances, such as sugar, flour, talcum powder or other drugs. These substances may seem harmless, but if you inject them they can cause huge damage to your body, such as blood clots, abscesses and gangrene. HIV and hepatitis B and C can be spread through sharing needles. Using heroin regularly will often lead to addiction, especially if you inject.

Methadone is used as a replacement drug to treat heroin addiction. It comes in the form of a green liquid, which you drink once a day to keep away the cravings for heroin. The most serious risk from methadone is death by overdose.

Cocaine

Slang names include Coke, Charlie, Snow.

Cocaine is a white powder made from the leaves of the coca plant, which grows mainly in South America. It is usually used by snorting the powder up the nose. ‘Crack’ is not a different drug but a more addictive form of cocaine. Crack, also called ‘rock’, ‘stone’ or ‘free-base’, is usually smoked. Cocaine is sometimes injected or eaten.

Effects – Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. It makes you feel more alert and energetic and also less hungry or thirsty. These effects can last for up to 20 minutes after each use. Smoking crack cocaine gives a shorter but more intense high.

Side-effects – Due to its powerful effects, cocaine users are often left craving more. Large doses can make you exhausted, anxious and depressed, and sometimes aggressive.

Risks – Snorting cocaine can cause permanent damage to the inside of your nose. Cocaine use can damage your heart and lungs, and high doses can cause death from heart attacks or blood clots. Taking cocaine with alcohol increases the risk of heart attack and death. Eating cocaine can damage bowel tissue.

The depression that follows the high can be severe and can lead to suicide attempts. With long-term or binge use, the excitement caused by cocaine can turn to restlessness, sleep loss and weight loss. Some people develop a paranoid psychosis where they may be violent. The strong cravings for cocaine, especially crack, can make you want to take the drug all the time and you can lose control of your drug use.

Amphetamines

Slang names include Speed, Whizz, Uppers.

Amphetamines are a group of stimulant drugs, some of which were used in the past as slimming tablets. They usually come as a white-grey powder, sold in folded paper packages called ‘wraps’. They are usually swallowed but can also be injected or snorted. A type known as ‘ice’ or ‘crystal’ can be smoked.

Effects – These depend on how you take the drug. A small dose by mouth makes you feel more alert and energetic. Higher doses that you inject or smoke give a rush of pleasure. Some speed users go on binges and become overactive and talkative.

Side-effects – As with other stimulant drugs, you experience a crash after the high caused by the drug. High doses of amphetamines can cause panic, paranoia and hallucinations. With long-term use, you can develop a condition known as ‘amphetamine psychosis’, with symptoms like schizophrenia. The paranoia can cause you to become violent if you believe you are being threatened or persecuted.

Risks – Amphetamine psychosis can continue after you have stopped using the drug. If you become aggressive or violent, you could get into dangerous situations. The risks from injecting are the same as other drugs, such as heroin.

Solvents

Slang name ‘glue sniffing’

Solvents include products found in most homes, such as glues, paint thinner, nail polish remover, lighter fuels and aerosol sprays such as deodorants. You can inhale them from a soaked rag, coat sleeve or directly from a bottle. You can also spray aerosols directly into your mouth. Solvent abuse is most common among teenagers. For most teenagers it is a passing fad, but it can cause them huge problems at school and at home.

Effects – Inhaling solvents can give a high or ‘buzz’ which is like feeling drunk. The effects usually wear off after about half an hour. You may look drunk, with slurred speech, staggering, giggling and lack of control and you can feel drowsy afterwards.

Side-effects – Your judgement can be affected and you can become aggressive. Hallucinations, vomiting and blackouts are also common. You usually have a hangover after use, with headache and poor concentration.

Risks – Death from solvent abuse is rare but it can happen for a number of reasons and can happen the first time you do it. Under the influence of solvents you are more likely to have accidents. You may also choke or suffocate – on the solvent you spray into your lungs, on your vomit or on the materials you use to help inhale the solvent. Many solvents can also cause heart failure.

LSD

Slang name Acid.

LSD usually comes as tiny tablets known as ‘dots’ or ‘tabs’, in or on small squares of paper or cardboard. Tabs usually have pictures or logos on them. You swallow the tabs.

Effects – LSD is a hallucinogenic drug. About one hour after taking a tab, it causes a ‘trip’ where your surroundings look different, with colours, sounds and objects appearing unreal or abnormal. During a trip you may have visions and hear voices and time seems to slow down or speed up. The effects can last for around 12 hours.

Side-effects – It’s hard to predict what kind of trip you will have. During a bad trip, you may feel terrified, feel you are losing control, going mad or dying. A bad trip is more likely if you are already feeling anxious or depressed before taking the drug.

Risks – A bad trip can trigger mental illness in some people. Good trips can also be dangerous, for example if you believe you can fly or walk on water. You can also get flashbacks, where you feel you are back on a trip for a short period of time, during the weeks and months after a trip. These flashbacks can be distressing.

Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow in the wild. You can eat them raw or cooked, or made into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms are similar to a mild, shorter LSD trip. As with LSD, you can have bad trips that could be frightening. There is also the risk that you might eat poisonous mushrooms by mistake, thinking they are magic mushrooms.